The rich and entrancing guitar play that adorns the backdrop amongst the intertwining vocals in the new single “Love One Another” from Alias Wayne is quite possibly the most expressive element of the song in a few choice moments, but certainly not the only facet of communication you’re going to find in this incredible new offering. An homage to the tunefulness of crossovers now in the rearview mirror as well as a statement of identity on the part of its performer, Alias Wayne’s “Love One Another” can send chills down you’re back if you’re an alternative Americana lover this winter season.
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Between the dueling of the different vocal parts in this track, there is a lot of catharsis bubbling over the instrumentation like a hot liquid spilling from a cauldron. Whilst the arrangement is a simple one, placing the strings at the helm of the harmony rather than our singer, there’s nothing conventional about the way these verses stack together. It’s both chaotic and surprisingly smooth, given the melodic presence of the players and the complicated manner in which they’re delivering this narrative to the audience. Originality is still possible in any form of music these days, and if you didn’t think so beforehand, you will after hearing this song.
The harmonies that grow out of the relationship Alias Wayne has with the six-string in this performance perhaps define the warmth of the mood he’s creating, but they’re not overstated in the master mix. Contrarily, I like the minimalist tone of the frontend here relative to what the rhythm section is putting out; it creates more of a folk/rock vibe than I was initially prepared to hear in “Love One Another,” which is a testament in itself to the versatility and aesthetical experimentalism this player is bringing with him into the studio.
In the chorus, everything feels complete and yet suggestive of a brighter element still awaiting us closer to the conclusion of the song, and although nothing gets sweeter than the aforementioned climax, it ensures that the slightest bit of tension is eliminated by the time we reach the halfway mark in “Love One Another.” Alias Wayne is thinking about timing and how he can use it to facilitate an emotional conclusion in this single, which is a lot more than some of his contemporaries would be willing to consider when trying to do similar material. I love the detail-oriented attitude, and I don’t think I’ll be the only critic saying so this year.
This is by far one of the most mature and thoughtful new releases I’ve listened to in a long time, and whether you’re familiar with the legacy of good folk-rock or Alias Wayne – a.k.a. Ranzel X Kendrick – himself, I think it’s worth taking a peek at “Love One Another.” The concept is quite an alternative to the mainstream mundane that’s been coming out of an increasingly lax singer/songwriter movement, and while it’s certainly not presenting us with any kind of a real peak for this artist, it’s hinting at what he’s still capable of producing if put in the right creative circumstances in or outside of the studio. From a conceptual perspective, this is an artist I can’t wait to know more about.
Garth Thomas